Marilee Jooste from Huntington Beach Academy of the Performing Arts attends California Youth in Theatre Day in Sacramento, sponsored by the California Educational Theatre Association. ROBERT ROTENBERRY

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Hannah Butler (Connelly/Tri-School Theatre) presents her award-winning theatre advocacy essay at the State PTA meeting and luncheon to celebrate the Arts in Education Month. RYAN PEARSON

Marilee Jooste from the Huntington Beach Academy of the Performing Arts and Robert Augustine from Mission Viejo High School, take a moment to dance on the steps of the Capitol Building in Sacramento. ROBERT ROTENBERRY

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"At our first appointment with Senator Mimmi Walters, we were surprised to find her in a meeting with the new bishop of our diocese, Bishop Kevin Van. Coming from a Catholic school, it was a great honor to meet and take a picture with our Bishop." - Massimo Napoli, Mater Dei High School The Mater Dei delegation (from left): Melissa Jacobson, Julia Silvey, Massimo Napoli, Patrick Williams, Austin Kendrick, Senator Walters, Bishop Vann, Jacob DeBilio, Sean Soper, Anais Chilvers, Ryan Looney PHOTO COURTESY OF MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL

Thirteen Orange County students and their teachers joined a state-wide delegation that descended upon the Capitol on Tuesday for California Youth in Theatre Day. Throughout the day, they took tours, met with their local legislators, performed for dignitaries, participated in workshops with theater professionals, and were honored in a ceremony at the office of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, all while serving as ambassadors and advocates for theater education in our schools.

Some of the students invited to attend were chosen based on essays they wrote on the importance of arts education. Others were invited to attend as performers if they had a record of excelling in local theater competitions and productions earlier in the year.

These students have sent us their thoughts about their day in Sacramento:

"I was curious as to what the day was going to be like." The day began with picture taking with assembly members and hearing speeches. I discovered only $1 million from the state budget is being spent on arts in the high schools." – Robert Augustine, Mission Viejo High School

"Lou Correa (D-Santa Ana) (told us that) when he was young, he was extremely passionate about politics. He said students need to be brought up to feel strongly about something so that they can make a difference to make for a strong future. He emphasized how politics did this for him. During our tour of the Capitol, I realized that theater does this for all of us attending CYIT!" – Melia Gonzales, Rosary High School

"Along with a speech from the event coordinator, Gai Jones, we heard speeches from politicians in support of the arts. They carried a similar theme, whether they did theater in high school or wish they did, that knowledge and experiences in theater are useful tools to have for politicians, echoing ideas passed on to me by my theater teacher Mr. Williams – that there is not a job in the world that does not utilize skills learned from working in theater." – Massimo Napoli, Mater Dei High School

"What struck me most about the two hours I spent in a room full of adult theater supporters was that there is a large group of people across the state fighting for the arts so I can have the opportunity to keep pursuing what I love." – Hannah Butler, Connelly High School

"I was surprised as to how many representatives have backgrounds in theater and the advice they gave us about it. I especially took a close listen to my assemblyman from Huntington Beach, Travis Allen, who advised us ... to read up on as many books as possible and really educate ourselves on our craft." – Austin Kendrick, Mater Dei High School

"(As) a senior in high school, theater has given me the opportunity to express myself, gain self-confidence, learn about other human beings, and realize how important the stage is to me. Without theater, I would be lost and would have missed out on the personal growth that can only be acquired through the arts. The California Youth in Theatre Day was where I was able to share my story and advocate for the continuance of theatre in schools for future generations." – Marilee Jooste, Huntington Beach Academy of the Performing Arts

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